Staff photos by Fran Maye
Hugh Lofting looks over plans for construction at his shop off Mill Road in Kennett Square.

West Marlborough — Hugh Lofting has always been drawn to nature.

If he had his way, most roads in the township would be made of gravel and all houses would be environmentally friendly.

Lofting, a supervisor and roadmaster in West Marlborough who owns his own business, Hugh Lofting Timber Framing Inc., enjoys the simpler things in life. He even had childhood aspirations of becoming a cowboy after visiting a Montana ranch his parents owned when he was 12 years old.

Lofting, 68, built his business into one of the premier timber frame construction companies in the country, but getting there took work.

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“I found out about timber framing in 1975 when I went to New England,” Lofting said. “I was making furniture at the time, but couldn’t figure out how to make a living out of that. Nobody knew about timber framing in house construction back then.”

Lofting built a business and a team over the following years by setting an example of hard work, collaboration, and creativity.

Today, advances in technology have changed the way he runs his business. Building plans are still done in advance, and computers generate most of the drawings and calculations. But the majority of timber framing at his business is still constructed by hand, nail-free, using solid wood pegs.

The results of timber framing are impressive, and extend from houses to commercial projects. Lofting gets many compliments on the recently completed timber framing of the new Lenfest Center at ChesLen Preserve.

“Timber framing is more expensive,” Lofting said. “But there’s a value. Nowadays, it adds about 12 to 15 percent to the total house price, but it adds to the quality of the project.”

It can be much more energy efficient, which is why many sustainability conscious owners choose timber framing.

Lofting said super-insulated roof panels on timber framing reach an R-40 factor (for a four-inch panel). He said R-29 is common in walls.

“Everywhere there is a stud, there are huge thermal breaks and the overall R-value is very small,” he said. “Continuous insulation is much better overall. It makes the building very tight. We’re trying to get away from foam insulation as much as possible. It’s just not good for the environment.”

Lofting, who attended Montana State College and served with the Air National Guard, doesn’t envision retirement anytime soon. He enjoys his work and living in scenic West Marlborough. His daughter works alongside him in the business and his son Hugh Jr., works with the road crew in West Marlborough.

Lofting continues to push the envelope with timber frame designs that are good for the environment. He is one of only nine certified Passive House Institute U.S. builders in Pennsylvania, a credential that required a four-day training session and passing a written exam.